There is an irony in the fact that the ability to hear isn't one that gets much attention until it starts to fade. New technology in industry and developments in the entertainment industry have led to a more marked degree of hearing loss in society than was previously the case. In assessing and repairing this trend of damage, audiometers play an important role.
Every day, people are routinely exposed to extremely loud sounds, whether as part of their employment or recreation. Examples are heavy industry and loud music in entertainment venues. This type of exposure can result in gradual hearing decay. Preventing this decay involves the measurement of a person's hearing, and audio measuring devices are used in this process of measurement.
Audiometers all operate according to the same principle. The device produces a carefully controlled sound which is routed into the ears of the person being tested. The volume and frequency of the this sound are deliberately determined by the device, and the sound then becomes the yardstick by which the sensitivity of the person's hearing is measured. The volume of the sound is measured in decibels (dB) and the frequency (pitch) in Hertz (Hz). The louder a sound, the higher its decibel count, while frequency is an indication of pitch (high or low sounds).
This type of test is used to determine the degree of sensitivity of the person's hearing. A typical audiometer consists of a set of headphones which are connected to a machine or a computer. Once a reading has been determined, appropriate action can be taken in safeguarding and mending the person's hearing.
The trick in using an audiometer is to make it produce exactly the right sounds. In order to do this, the audiometer needs to be calibrated, in the same way as a musical instrument needs to be tuned. Calibration, or re-calibration, needs to be done frequently in order to ensure maximum reliability.
Re-calibration is necessitated by various issues, such as changes in the operating temperature of the equipment, the equipment's age, inappropriate handling (the equipment is sensitive, since it produces barely audible sounds) and the frequency of use, amongst others. All of these issues can cause the equipment to operate with reduced accuracy, in the same way as a musical instrument loses tuning. An audiometer should ideally be re-calibrated annually.
There are essentially two types of audiometer. The first is known as the hardware type, and consists of a machine linked to headphones. The second is based on software, hence its name, and involves the use of a computer or other electronic device. Both types do the same thing. The main difference is that computer-based or software audiometers never need to be re-calibrated because they cannot lose accuracy. They can also be more refined in their degree of accuracy, since it is digital. However, they are harder to use due to variations in individual application (such as speaker volume and PC output).
In a time of increasingly louder noises, it is important to be able to detect hearing loss. Audiometers have many industrial and household applications. They are a valuable complement to the steps that each person can take in safeguarding their own hearing.
Every day, people are routinely exposed to extremely loud sounds, whether as part of their employment or recreation. Examples are heavy industry and loud music in entertainment venues. This type of exposure can result in gradual hearing decay. Preventing this decay involves the measurement of a person's hearing, and audio measuring devices are used in this process of measurement.
Audiometers all operate according to the same principle. The device produces a carefully controlled sound which is routed into the ears of the person being tested. The volume and frequency of the this sound are deliberately determined by the device, and the sound then becomes the yardstick by which the sensitivity of the person's hearing is measured. The volume of the sound is measured in decibels (dB) and the frequency (pitch) in Hertz (Hz). The louder a sound, the higher its decibel count, while frequency is an indication of pitch (high or low sounds).
This type of test is used to determine the degree of sensitivity of the person's hearing. A typical audiometer consists of a set of headphones which are connected to a machine or a computer. Once a reading has been determined, appropriate action can be taken in safeguarding and mending the person's hearing.
The trick in using an audiometer is to make it produce exactly the right sounds. In order to do this, the audiometer needs to be calibrated, in the same way as a musical instrument needs to be tuned. Calibration, or re-calibration, needs to be done frequently in order to ensure maximum reliability.
Re-calibration is necessitated by various issues, such as changes in the operating temperature of the equipment, the equipment's age, inappropriate handling (the equipment is sensitive, since it produces barely audible sounds) and the frequency of use, amongst others. All of these issues can cause the equipment to operate with reduced accuracy, in the same way as a musical instrument loses tuning. An audiometer should ideally be re-calibrated annually.
There are essentially two types of audiometer. The first is known as the hardware type, and consists of a machine linked to headphones. The second is based on software, hence its name, and involves the use of a computer or other electronic device. Both types do the same thing. The main difference is that computer-based or software audiometers never need to be re-calibrated because they cannot lose accuracy. They can also be more refined in their degree of accuracy, since it is digital. However, they are harder to use due to variations in individual application (such as speaker volume and PC output).
In a time of increasingly louder noises, it is important to be able to detect hearing loss. Audiometers have many industrial and household applications. They are a valuable complement to the steps that each person can take in safeguarding their own hearing.
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